The English opener Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with comments made by captain Stokes about the team environment as no place for "those lacking fortitude".
Stokes delivered this message in several conversations following England's loss in the second match of the Ashes series versus Australia previously.
In the lead-up to the third Test, where the visitors now face defeat with a match to spare, the captain stated he had allowed his sentiment to "circulate freely" within the playing group.
"I've done all the talking over the past two days that I required," said the England leader.
But, following Crawley scored a knock of 85 on the fourth day in the third Test, he stated: "I didn't see that."
"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. Our approach is to take everything that is said in the media with a pinch of salt," he added.
Raw Conversations and Consistent Messaging
The captain made the "weak men" observation after his side were beaten in the second Test to fall two matches behind.
The team subsequently went on a break to a Queensland resort between the second and third matches.
Prior to this match, he revealed his players had held "honest" conversations and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their battle to stay in contention in the series.
Nevertheless, Crawley stated the messaging from the captain and coach McCullum had stayed in line with their previous three years in charge.
"The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, the same as always," noted the opener. "It's just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with great liberty. We believed we were capable of an extraordinary feat entering this game."
The Hosts On the Verge of Rapid Ashes Triumph
Crawley's dismissal on day four was part of a crucial triple-strike by Australia spinner Lyon.
Lyon's triple strike in a short spell – he also bowled Harry Brook and Stokes himself – left England six down for 207 in pursuit of a notional total of 435.
This means, the home team need just four more wickets on the final day to move to an unassailable 3-0 advantage with three Tests.
A loss will extend the English team's drought in this country to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth straight overseas Ashes defeat.
The current battle is set to be decided in only 11 days of cricket – after England losing the first two Tests in two and four days each.
Not since 1921, when the Australians sealed victory in the UK in eight days, has the destination of the urn been determined so quickly. Australia have also triumphed in 11 days on two other occasions in the 21st century.
"It's disheartening," admitted the batsman. "Our goal was to win the Ashes and now we are facing elimination at this point."
"There will still be significant pride at stake and we'll certainly approach it with that mindset," Crawley added.
"The challenge has been tough. They're a very, very good side. It was always going to be tough touring here to face them. They entered as the favourites coming in to it they've proven why."
Pope's Position In Question
While Crawley's innings in the third Test probably answers questions about his immediate place in the England team, Ollie Pope appears under threat for his spot in the Melbourne Test starting December 26th.
The Surrey batsman fell for 17 runs in the team's second knock on day four, extending his poor record versus Australia.
Across 16 Ashes innings, Pope has failed to score a fifty and boasts an average of 17.62.
A solitary other English batsman in over a century – Amiss – has featured an equal number of innings in the top order in the Ashes and returned a poorer average.
But, the opener said any suggestion Pope is being scrutinised originates with "you guys" – meaning the press – "not inside the camp."
"The squad is fully aware of his considerable talent," said he. "He has had a productive year to be frank."
"He has produced several excellent innings. This is noise externally. There's no chat of that nature regarding Pope in the camp," Crawley concluded.
